Video Find: Volkswagen Hovering Car Floats Above Streets of China

After Volkswagen received 119,000 ideas as part of the People's Car Project (PCP) launched 11 months ago in China, three vehicle and technology concepts were produced and are now on display at the 2012 Beijing auto show. We've caught a video of the wackiest concept is caught in action below.

The Volkswagen Hover Car is a pod-like zero-emissions vehicle that uses electromagnetic road networks to float above the road. The small Volkswagen has two seats and a joystick and, to demonstrate how the car would work, a Chinese couple appears to put the flying car to the test around the bustling streets of Chengdu. The two seem reluctant to climb aboard at first, but once they lift-off, they seem to enjoy all the attention the pod car gets.The two other concepts on display include a Music Car, and a Smart Key which focuses more on the integration of online technologies in car. The Music Car wears LED lights that change color based on the chosen music genre. The Smart Key measures only 0.35 inches and uses a high-resolution touch screen to display vehicle information such as fuel status, climate conditions, and car security via a 3G network.

The People's Car project allowed Internet users in China to post ideas about cars of the future. Since the response was much greater than Volkswagen anticipated, the project has been extended to include a new phase allowing users to submit more environmentally friendly ideas.Before we see those ideas, though, check out the hovering car in action in the amusing video below.

Maybe we're due for something like this...long after other countries get it probably. When you think about it, wheels have been around since before Roman times. They even invented the live axle on their chariots that the current (and last) Mustang has. We could save money on roads though. I suspect it will have to start in China and work its way here, though.

DeSilva seems much more apt at designing things like this than drawing actual cars. I like the shape and the concept, but it will take a massive war to destroy infrastructure to the point where a choice like that can be made to replace the typical roads.